“Yeah, I registered to do the LSA test, which is in a couple of weeks.”
“That’s great. What happens when you pass?”
“If I get a high enough score, I might get straight in with my experience.” She shrugged. “If not, I need to enroll into college.” She shifted a little more on the seat.
“Awesome.” He pulled her closer and kissed her. He loved the way she melted into him.
Somewhere in the house, a door slammed shut. “Sounds like Mama’s home,” Zita said, sitting up.
Sure enough, a few minutes later Carmen came into the living room with Alejandra holding a sleeping Julio.
David stood up with Zita.
“How is he?” Zita asked.
“He’ll be fine. Everyone’s a little tired,” Carmen said. Alejandra continued upstairs with her baby. Carmen nodded to David. “I didn’t get a chance to say hello to you earlier.”
“You had bigger concerns,” he said. She looked as tired as Zita. “You all need a good night’s sleep. I’d better be going.”
Zita took hold of his hand. “I’ll walk you out.”
“You’re more than welcome to stay,” Carmen said. “It’s late and you’ve got a long drive home.” She went upstairs.
OK, that was weird. He’d been invited to stay by his date’s mother.
Zita squeezed his hand. “You can stay if you want. My bed’s big enough for two, but I thought you might feel awkward.”
There was such sadness in her eyes and he wanted it to go away. He wanted to hold her and make her feel better. It was a strange feeling. “I’d love to stay.”
She smiled then, big and bright. He felt like a hero.
“Come on then.” She took his hand and they climbed the stairs.
***
David groaned as a baby’s cries woke him. This time at least it was light outside, but the other four times during the night it hadn’t been. No wonder Zita was so damn tired. At least twice she’d got up to help and now she was stirring in her sleep again.
He snuggled into her and whispered, “It’s not time to get up yet.”
She mumbled something in her sleep and settled back down. Outside the room, there were loud voices in Spanish. One sounded upset, the other angry.
Zita stirred again.
No, she needed to sleep. Carefully, he got out of bed and dressed and checked his hair in Zita’s mirror, before slipping outside. Maybe there was something he could do to help, even if it was just to make breakfast, so they could take their argument downstairs away from Zita.
Alejandra was standing with her hands on her hips, glaring at Elena who was holding a crying Xaviera.
“Morning,” he said.
The shock on the girls’ faces would have been comical if it hadn’t been accompanied by a split second of fear as well. He stopped where he was, keeping his distance, and gave his friendliest smile.
“Is something wrong?”
“She won’t take her baby downstairs. Her crying is going to wake Julio,” Alejandra said.
“Mamitasaid I could stay in bed today,” Elena said. “I’m so tired.”
“We’re all tired, but you’re a mother now. You have to be strong,” Alejandra told her.
